Skyway Airlines

Skyway Airlines was an American aviation company based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. It is best known for operating regional passenger flights under the Midwest Express and Midwest Airlines brands, first as Midwest Express Connection and later as Midwest Connect. The company fed passengers into Midwest's principal hub at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee and served a wide range of smaller and mid-sized communities across the United States, as well as Toronto, Ontario. The operation began flying on April 17, 1989, as the Skyway Airlines division of Mesa Air Group. Mesa used Beechcraft 1900C turboprops to provide regional feed for Midwest Express Airlines, principally from Milwaukee and Rockford. In 1994, Midwest Express established Astral Aviation, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that assumed responsibility for the operation. The new subsidiary introduced Beechcraft 1900D aircraft and expanded the network to communities in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Plains, South, and East. Skyway became particularly notable in 1999 when it served as the world launch customer for the Fairchild Dornier 328JET. The 32-seat regional jet offered greater speed and a more spacious passenger experience than the turboprops it supplemented. Skyway ultimately operated twelve 328JETs, using them to reach longer-distance markets such as Hartford, New York, Washington, and Raleigh-Durham. The company intended to move toward an all-jet fleet and had considered the planned 44-seat Fairchild Dornier 428JET as a future replacement for the Beechcraft 1900. Those plans were undermined by manufacturer failures and broader financial pressure. Fairchild Dornier became insolvent in 2002, halting 328JET production. AvCraft Aviation subsequently acquired production rights and announced plans to restart the program, but it also entered bankruptcy. Other regional jets had significant order backlogs, while operating a small fleet made up of several aircraft types would have increased training, maintenance, and inventory costs. Skyway therefore began reducing its Beechcraft fleet without securing a practical replacement. In March 2003, Midwest Express Airlines reincorporated as Midwest Airlines, while Astral Aviation changed its corporate name to Skyway Airlines, Inc. and adopted Midwest Connect as its operating brand. The rebranding made the relationship between the regional carrier and its parent airline more visible through coordinated aircraft and uniform designs. Midwest later supplemented Skyway's flying with independently owned SkyWest Airlines, whose aircraft also operated as Midwest Connect. Following the acquisition of Midwest Air Group by Northwest Airlines and TPG Capital, Midwest announced on January 16, 2008, that Skyway's flight operations would end and that remaining regional flying would be transferred to SkyWest. Skyway's final passenger flights operated on April 5, 2008. At shutdown, the fleet consisted of twelve Fairchild Dornier 328JETs and four Beechcraft 1900Ds, and the airline served nineteen destinations. The subsidiary continued for a time as a ramp-services and catering provider, but Midwest announced in February 2009 that its remaining functions would be absorbed by Midwest Airlines and that Skyway would cease to exist as a separate entity.

Skyway Airlines began as a regional airline operation connected to Midwest Express Airlines. Its first flights took place on April 17, 1989, when Mesa Air Group's Skyway division used Beechcraft 1900C aircraft to provide feeder service from Milwaukee and Rockford. The operation connected smaller markets to Midwest Express's network and initially functioned as a branded regional partner rather than as a large independent network carrier. In 1994, Midwest Express established Astral Aviation, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary to assume the Skyway operation. The subsidiary introduced fifteen new Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, with the first flight using the new type operating from Milwaukee to Flint, Michigan, on February 15, 1994. Over the following years, Skyway expanded its reach across Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ontario. The network included both Milwaukee-focused routes and selected point-to-point services, although many non-hub routes were relatively short-lived. The airline entered a major fleet transition in 1999. It became the world launch customer for the Fairchild Dornier 328JET, a 32-seat regional jet designed to combine jet speed with a smaller-community capacity. Skyway ultimately operated twelve 328JETs. Their range and passenger amenities allowed the company to serve destinations such as Hartford, New York, Washington, and Raleigh-Durham, while also replacing some Beechcraft services with faster jet flights. Skyway expected to acquire additional 328JETs and had planned to use the proposed 44-seat 428JET as part of an all-jet strategy. The plan was damaged first by the economic shock that followed the September 11 attacks and then by the collapse of the 328JET supply chain. Fairchild Dornier became insolvent in 2002 and production ceased. AvCraft Aviation acquired the aircraft's production rights and sought to restart manufacturing, but later entered bankruptcy itself. Canadair and Embraer regional jets were available only with substantial order backlogs, and purchasing a different aircraft type would have imposed high training, maintenance, and spare-parts costs on a relatively small operator. Skyway consequently reduced its Beechcraft fleet without obtaining a straightforward replacement path. In March 2003, Midwest Express Airlines reincorporated as Midwest Airlines. Astral Aviation also reincorporated and became Skyway Airlines, Inc., doing business as Midwest Connect. Aircraft and uniforms received new logos, and the branding more clearly connected Skyway with Midwest Airlines. In 2006, Midwest announced that SkyWest Airlines would provide additional regional feed under the same Midwest Connect identity. The two operators were intended to work alongside one another, with SkyWest's Canadair regional jets supplementing Skyway's remaining fleet. Midwest Air Group faced a hostile takeover attempt from AirTran Airways in 2006 and 2007. Northwest Airlines and TPG Capital ultimately acted as a white-knight consortium and acquired Midwest Air Group, with Northwest holding a 47 percent stake and TPG holding 53 percent. The new ownership structure was followed by a decision to transfer Skyway's remaining flying to SkyWest. Midwest announced the change on January 16, 2008, and Skyway ended its passenger operations on April 5. At the end, it operated twelve Fairchild Dornier 328JETs and four Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, serving nineteen destinations in the United States and Canada. After the flight operation ended, Skyway remained associated with ramp services and catering for Midwest Airlines and certain Midwest Connect operations operated by SkyWest. Midwest's financial condition deteriorated further in 2008 as fuel prices rose and the company struggled with aircraft leases and fleet economics. In February 2009, Midwest announced that remaining Skyway functions would be absorbed by Midwest Airlines and that Skyway would cease to exist as a separate entity. The available historical record does not establish a distinct later operating date for every ground-services function, but the brand is generally treated as defunct.

• 2009

  Remaining functions absorbed

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Midwest announces that Skyway's remaining functions will be assumed by Midwest Airlines and that Skyway will cease as a separate entity.

• 2008

  Passenger operations end

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Skyway completes its last flights on April 5 after Midwest transfers remaining regional flying to SkyWest.

• 2006

  SkyWest supplements regional feed

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Midwest announces that SkyWest Airlines will operate additional Midwest Connect flights alongside Skyway.

• 2003

  Rebranding as Midwest Connect

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Astral Aviation reincorporates as Skyway Airlines, Inc. and adopts the Midwest Connect operating identity after Midwest Express becomes Midwest Airlines.

• 2002

  328JET production disruption

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Fairchild Dornier becomes insolvent and 328JET production stops, undermining Skyway's planned fleet modernization.

• 1999

  328JET launch customer

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Skyway becomes the world launch customer for the Fairchild Dornier 328JET and begins expanding longer regional jet routes.

• 1994

  Astral Aviation assumes the operation

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Midwest Express establishes Astral Aviation as a wholly owned subsidiary and replaces the Beechcraft 1900C fleet with new 1900D aircraft.

• 1989

  Flight operations begin

  [1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Skyway begins regional service on April 17 as Midwest Express Connection, using Beechcraft 1900C aircraft supplied through Mesa Air Group's Skyway division.

A regional feeder and short-haul aviation services provider supporting Midwest Express Airlines and later Midwest Airlines, with an emphasis on connecting smaller communities to Milwaukee and offering comparatively comfortable regional aircraft service.

• Airline service · 1989

  Regional passenger flights

  Skyway operated short-haul scheduled flights linking smaller and mid-sized communities with Midwest Express and Midwest Airlines, principally through Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. At different times the network reached approximately sixty markets, although many point-to-point routes lasted only six to eighteen months. Near shutdown, the airline served nineteen destinations in the United States and Canada.

• Regional jet service · 1999

  Fairchild Dornier 328JET service

  Introduced in 1999, the 32-seat Fairchild Dornier 328JET became Skyway's signature aircraft and enabled longer regional routes than its turboprop fleet. Skyway operated twelve examples. Midwest Connect aircraft were promoted with leather seating, and selected routes were associated with Midwest's customer-service practice of providing freshly baked cookies.

• Commuter turboprop service · 1989

  Beechcraft 1900 service

  Beechcraft 1900 aircraft formed the foundation of Skyway's early regional operation. Mesa initially operated 1900C aircraft, while the Midwest-owned operation introduced fifteen new 1900D aircraft in 1994. The type served smaller markets and remained in the fleet until the final day of passenger operations.

• Ground services

  Ramp handling and catering

  After scheduled flying ended, Skyway continued as a ramp-services and airline-catering company supporting Midwest Airlines and certain Midwest Connect operations. These functions were later announced for absorption into Midwest Airlines.

• 2008

  End Skyway passenger operationsStrategy

  Background

  After Northwest Airlines and TPG Capital acquired Midwest Air Group, Midwest sought to consolidate regional operations and address Skyway's limited fleet-development options.

  Action taken

  Midwest announced on January 16 that Skyway's flight operations would end and that the remaining Midwest Connect flying would be transferred to SkyWest.

  Aftermath

  Skyway's last passenger flights operated on April 5, 2008. The company retained ground-services and catering functions temporarily before Midwest announced their absorption in 2009.

  Source

• 2006

  Supplement Skyway with SkyWest capacityStrategy

  Background

  Skyway faced fleet constraints after the collapse of the Fairchild Dornier production program, while Midwest required continued regional feed.

  Action taken

  Midwest Airlines arranged for independently owned SkyWest Airlines to provide additional regional flying under the Midwest Connect brand alongside Skyway.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement reduced Midwest's dependence on Skyway's constrained fleet and preceded the later transfer of Skyway's remaining flying to SkyWest.

  Source

• 2003

  Rebrand the regional operation as Midwest ConnectStrategy

  Background

  Midwest Express Airlines changed its corporate name to Midwest Airlines, creating a need to align the regional operation's identity with the parent airline.

  Action taken

  Astral Aviation reincorporated as Skyway Airlines, Inc. and operated under the Midwest Connect name, with coordinated aircraft and uniform branding.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand made the relationship between the mainline and regional operations more apparent to customers and later allowed SkyWest aircraft to operate under the same identity.

  Source

• 1999

  Adopt the Fairchild Dornier 328JETProduct launch

  Background

  Skyway needed a regional aircraft that could extend the network beyond the practical range and speed of its Beechcraft turboprops while retaining a relatively small seating capacity.

  Action taken

  The airline became the world launch customer for the 32-seat 328JET and ultimately acquired twelve aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The jets opened longer routes and became central to Skyway's regional identity, but the manufacturer's insolvency later prevented the planned expansion of the type.

  Source

• 2009

  Midwest announces absorption of remaining Skyway functions[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Midwest Air Group CEO Tim Hoeksema announced that remaining Skyway functions would be assumed by Midwest Airlines and that Skyway would no longer exist as a separate entity.

• 2008

  Midwest announces end of Skyway flight operations[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After the Northwest Airlines and TPG Capital acquisition of Midwest Air Group, Midwest announced that Skyway's remaining flying would be transferred to SkyWest.

• 2008

  Skyway operates its final passenger flights[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Skyway's last day of flight operations was April 5, 2008. The final operating fleet comprised twelve 328JETs and four Beechcraft 1900Ds.

• 2006

  Midwest adds SkyWest regional flying under Midwest Connect[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Midwest Airlines announced that independently owned SkyWest Airlines would provide additional regional feed alongside Skyway, with SkyWest aircraft also carrying the Midwest Connect identity.

• 2003

  Skyway adopts Midwest Connect identity[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Following Midwest Express's name change to Midwest Airlines, Astral Aviation reincorporated as Skyway Airlines, Inc. and operated under the Midwest Connect name.

• 2002

  Fairchild Dornier insolvency disrupts Skyway fleet plans[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Product generation

  Fairchild Dornier entered insolvency and stopped 328JET production, disrupting Skyway's planned transition to a larger all-jet fleet.

• 1999

  Skyway becomes launch customer for Fairchild Dornier 328JET[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  Skyway became the launch operator of the 32-seat Fairchild Dornier 328JET and ultimately acquired twelve aircraft of the type.

• 1994

  Midwest Express subsidiary assumes Skyway operation[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  Midwest Express created Astral Aviation as a wholly owned subsidiary to take over Skyway's operation and introduced Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.

• 1989

  Skyway begins flight operations as Midwest Express Connection[1]Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Skyway Airlines began scheduled regional flying on April 17 under the Midwest Express Connection name, initially operating Beechcraft 1900C aircraft for Midwest Express Airlines.

1. 1Skyway Airlinesen.wikipedia.org